Pakistan to airlift huge quantity of tents from China
From Javed Akhtar ( APP)

BEIJING—Pakistan is importing huge quantity of tents from China to meet the immediate needs of quake-victims.
These tents will be airlifted to Pakistan by special chartered cargo planes within next couple of days. Chinese manufacturers offer the tents on relatively less price on humanitarian ground.
With the fast approaching of severe winter in the affected areas, the government of Pakistan has decided to mobilize all available resources to provide temporary shelter to the thousands of homeless people on urgent basis, said a Pakistani official while talking to APP.
Pakistan is facing acute shortage of tents for the quake-hit areas in Azad Kashmir and NWFP. " We wish the tents, as much number as possible should reach the affected areas at the earliest, the official added.
He said Pakistan is thankful to the Chinese government and its people for a big donation that they have already made in form of tents, blankets and medicines. "We are expecting Chinese further help in relief and reconstruction work," he added.
Meanwhile, some leading Chinese companies announced donation of $3,75000 both in cash and material at a ceremony held here at the Pakistan Embassy.
Total private sector's donation has reached $5 million, besides official donation of $6.2 provided by the Chinese government and $one million Chinese Defence Ministry. Chinese seniors officials Hu Deping and Xi Boyang assured that the Chinese side will actively participate in the rehabilitation work in the affected areas.
Hu Deping told reporters that they have launched a nation-wide campaign to mobilize humanitarian assistance for their Pakistani friends who faced colossal loss in the wake the devastated earthquake.
The ceremony was jointly organized by the UN system in China, China Guangcai Programme, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and Pakistan Embassy. Pakistan ambassador Salman Bashir briefed about 150 representatives of leading Chinese companies about the impact of earthquake disaster on the life of the people in the affected areas.
Chief of UNDP resident mission Khalid Malik proposed that there should be China's consortium for participating in the reconstruction work. A Chinese Vice Minster who attended the meeting agreed to the proposal and hoped necessary modalities to this effect would be finalized soon.
Additional quake aid pledge: China announced Wednesday that it would give Pakistan additional emergency supply of cotton tents, blankets and stoves worth 500,000 US dollars and $61,730 to help victims of the Oct. 8 earthquake.
"Given the emergency of the disaster relief effort, China commits to deliver this batch of goods within one week ... to the people in need," Huang Hai, assistant minister of commerce of China, said at a ministerial-level meeting organized at Geneva by the UN on assistance to communities affected by the earthquake, APP learnt from official sources in Beijing.
"Moreover, the Chinese government, in line with the actual need of the disaster area, will shortly announce further assistance measures to Pakistan, which will include additional grant through bilateral channel," he added.
On the next day of the earthquake, the Chinese government announced to provide Pakistan with cash and goods worth 6.2 million dollars. At this moment, all the emergency supplies have arrived in Pakistan.
China has also, in the quickest manner possible, sent to the disaster area a 50-member international rescue team consisting of technical experts on building structure, telecommunication, earthquake forecast, earthquake geology, and equipment needs.
This is the biggest ever professional rescue team since the establishment of China International Rescue Team carrying out overseas missions. Now, the additional emergency aid, including the relief goods will be lifted to Pakistan on daily basis, through special cargo flights, the sources added.